- Winter 2004 -

Medicare Says Recreational Therapy Is a Covered Service

Recreational therapy services provided within inpatient rehabilitation facilities are a covered service and should be provided when medically indicated, according to a recent announcement by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The announcement clarifies the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s long-standing position that recreational therapy services are a covered service, when provided under the supervision of a physician, and meet the definitions of active treatment.

“This clarification by CMS will assure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to the full mix of cost-effective rehabilitation interventions including Recreational Therapy,” states ATRA President G T Thompson, MEd, CTRS.